|
|
|
by Jackie Baillie MSP,
Deputy Minister for Communities
The Scottish Executive has a strong commitment to supporting volunteering and encouraging community action. We have this commitment because we believe that volunteering and community action have an important part to play in promoting active citizenship. If we can promote the concept of active citizens, contributing to their local community as well as to the wider society, then we will secure better Government policies and more responsive public services because people have had an active role in fashioning them.
Scottish Ministers are committed to tackling the problems of poverty, disadvantage, and social exclusion that exist in Scotland today. If we are to succeed, it will be because ordinary Scots take up the challenge. Involvement through individual acts of volunteering or through collective community action can help make this happen.
We set up the Scottish Active Communities Working Group, under the leadership of Laurie Naumann, to develop a strategy for the active community in Scotland. This draft Strategy is the outcome of their work. We are grateful to Laurie Naumann and the Working Group members for their time and efforts and for the timeous delivery of the draft Strategy.
We have a commitment to full consultation with the voluntary sector, with organisations who engage volunteers and with community groups. Our Compact with the voluntary sector enshrines that commitment. We therefore invite comments and look forward to hearing your views on the Strategy and on its implementation.
Jackie Baillie
|
|